Interesting facts: A road in France, disappears twice a day!

Yes, you heard it right! Passage Du Gois is a road in France which disappears twice a day mysteriously due to rising tides. The road connects the Gulf of Burnёf with the island of Noirmoutier in France.

Passage Du Gois is a natural passage with the length of 4,3km (2.58-miles) and it is located on the Atlantic coast in the Vendée department. This stretch of the D948 road is flooded twice a day due to high tides leading to the island of Noirmoutier in France. There are packs of inflatable boats for driving this road because as just say for some random reason you jumble up the tide timings, and then you might disappear beneath the salty ocean. The road floods twice daily with incoming tides and the roads disappear for sometimes. As the tides go out, the slippery seaweed is left all over it.

The Passage du Gois, an extraordinary location in France is a national monument. The 4,150 meters causeway is only accessible during the low tide and then 1 ½ hour before the lowest tide and 1 ½ hour afterwards.

There are panels installed at both ends of the passage so that you can be updated about the tide timings. Passengers need to follow the advice given on which inform about the road is passable or not. It is forbidden by law to dwell on the foreshore. It is also strictly prohibited to park on the pavements. The drivers are advised to drive slowly to avoid skidding on this slippery road and also to avoid having to drag suddenly when needed. Drivers need to turn on the headlights and fog lights in the case of dense fog.

This rough stone paved causeway was first used during the XVI century as the Baie de Bourgneuf gradually sanded up. Today this causeway draws thousands of visitors a year to watch the daily uncovering of the 4.3 kilometers of the road as it magically appears from the sea through the ebbing tide.

Interesting facts are:

Buses and trucks can drive only in one direction which is from the mainland to the island.

The road lies under 1.30 meters to 4 meters of water during the high tides.

A thick fog can grow quickly in this part of the Vendée zone.

Around 1840, a general service began to be implemented by car or on horseback. This ordinary looking road is in fact extremely dangerous. There are special panels on the road which will tell you if the road is passable or not. But every year many courageous travellers get fooled in the quickly rising waters as the tide comes in.

Elevated rescue towers are established all along the Passage Du Gois For those who caught between the tides. Passengers can climb these towers until the tide goes down again or wait until they are rescued.

About Archi Roy Choudhury

Archi is an avid reader, dreamer and a pollyanna by nature. Writing her heart out, she wants to paint the city with the colour of her thoughts. She loves to explore the famous food joints in Kolkata. Parents and friends all she needs to feel content. "Never Give Up" what boost her every day.

Every railway stations have their own story. The clock, corners of the platforms, the waiting chairs whisper their own saga…

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